Covid-19: Italian Ports are Open but International Ferry Links for Passengers Suspended
“Italian ports are fully operational with regular service to the national community and all their offices, including those devoted to controls, guaranteeing regularity of these activities”. That’s what Assoporti, the local association of port authorities, announced (10 March) following the Italian government’s new coronavirus quarantine measures.
Italy has about 10,000 confirmed cases and over 600 deaths from COVID-19 so far, and the government has instituted a strict nationwide lockdown in an attempt to limit the disease’s spread.
Despite ports being open, all the international ferry links to Croatia, Albania, Tunisia, Morocco and Malta have been suspended. Further countries may follow.
Those measures are heavily impacting shipping companies providing transport services for passengers such as Grandi Navi Veloci, Adria Ferries, Virtu Ferries ad CTN. Other groups such as Tirrenia, Grimaldi, Messina and others which are regularly working as roro and cargo ships, are not affected by the restrictions.
“The measures adopted by the Government in no way restrict the movement of goods in the country” Assoporti underlined.
